Michael Montgomery

Michael James Montgomery, 43, of Fargo, North Dakota, passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis following a heart transplant. Memorial services in celebration of his life will be held at 11 A.M. Wednesday, August 17th at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fargo, North Dakota, where family will greet from 9:30 to time of service. A noon lunch from 12:00 to 2:00 will be held after the memorial service at the church. Internment services to follow lunch and will be held at the West Lake Side Cemetery at 4:00 P.M. in rural Wheaton, Minnesota. Lunch to follow at the Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton at 5:00 p.m. There will have a memory book for people to write their memories of Mike at the service. You can send cards to Wally and Pauline Johnson of Wheaton , or to Deana and family at 5528 Bishops BLVD S unit C, Fargo, ND 58104. Mike was born July 2, 1968, in Duluth Minnesota to Jeanne and Jim Montgomery. He graduated from Anoka High in 1986, and received his bachelor degree from NDSU. On December 14th, 1991, he married Deana Johnson in Wheaton, Minnesota. To this union, two children were born, son, Andrew (19), daughter Anna (16). Mike taught billiards and bowling and the NDSU Memorial Union where he coordinated the rec and outing center. He had many passions, including fantasy football, softball, coaching, family, and texas holdem. He was an avid mentor to others suffering from congenital heart defects, CHF, and transposition. Mike will be remembered for his giving heart, his easy, fun character, and his awesome treatment of others. He considered many his friends, and adopted many into his family. He was the best husband and Daddy ever. He is survived by his wife Deana, son Andrew, daughter Anna, all of Fargo, ND, his mother, Jeanne (Tom) Gearhart of Anoka, MN, sister Paula (Todd) Bethel of Lakeville, MN, grandparents, Ilene and Vern Anderson of Duluth, MN, his parents-in-law, Pauline and Wally Johnson of Wheaton, MN, sisters -in-law, Jean (OJ) Osterman, Pam (Jim) Kraus, also of Wheaton, many nieces and nephews, stepsisters, Rebecca (Munib) Gearhart of Bloomington, MN and Ann (Andrew) Anderson of Woodbury, MN. Mike was preceded in death by his father, James Montgomery.